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"Things really heated up around midnight when some of the stores first opened," said security guard Eddie Mercado. "There haven't been any incidents, and while there was a verbal altercation, everyone has been well-behaved. Things are pretty calm right now, but it's been crazy in waves, so who knows when it'll pick back up again."
Mercado said the mall attracts thousands of shoppers every year on Black Friday.
Veteran Black Friday shopper John Mercado was out shopping for hours, but he wasn't ready to stop anytime soon.
"I've been doing Black Friday for 10 years now, so I know a thing or two about what's good," he said. "Most of the smaller stores in Cross County are running pretty smoothly, but it's the big chains like Best Buy that you have to watch out for. I made out well, so I have no complaints. It's just hard to believe how many people love to shop."
Kayra Moreira, 17, was one of countless Yonkers residents shopping on Black Friday.
"I'm hitting all the stores and I'm ready to spend some good money," she said. "After we leave Forever 21, we're hitting everything from Express to Old Navy. I went Black Friday shopping last year, and I will next year, too. Why wouldn't I when clothes are this cheap. I even saw designer shoes on sale for $50!"
People think Black Friday is all about flat-screen televisions, but clothes were disappearing minutes after they were put out, said H&M employee Ashley Kendrick.
"I don't think I've ever seen so many people shopping in one small space," said Kendrick. "Some of the shoppers are going all out trying to find anything they can. I haven't relaxed for one second because I've been called to help out in every department today. I've been stuck here working, but I would never be out if I didn't have to be."
New Rochelle resident Yaritz Lopez, 15, waited on line close to an hour, but said it was worth it.
"The lines are pretty bad, and waiting isn't fun, but it's nothing compared to shopping at midnight," she said. "I did the whole early morning madness thing last year, so I made sure I didn't this time around. People are always saying Black Friday is crazy, why would you ever go out. But if you're looking to buy a bunch of stuff, who cares about waiting on a line or two."
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